Translator: CinderTL
"So..." Roland glanced at Darco with a strange expression. "You had barely arrived at the port when Mr. Colin ordered you to evacuate?"
"That's right." Darco stole a glance at Colin, who was walking ahead, and scratched his head awkwardly. "At the time, I wondered why Mr. Colin was in such a hurry to get us out. Later, I learned it was because the Church of Truth had plotted to assassinate His Majesty Monen."
"What about the commoners at the celebration?"
"I don't know the specifics," Darco whispered. "But I imagine Mr. Colin arranged for them to avoid the danger zones in advance."
Wouldn't notifying the commoners alert the Church of Truth?
Though doubts lingered, Roland refrained from asking, seeing Darco's bewildered expression.
"Ha..." Roland sighed helplessly.
So, I'm the only one who suffered collateral damage in this attack.
He shook his head lightly and continued, "What about Baron Gavin?"
"He..." Darco's brow furrowed, his expression darkening as he spoke of the uncle who had always treated him with such care.
After a long silence, he spoke with difficulty.
"Baron Gavin... is a spy planted by the Church of Truth beside His Majesty Monen."
This revelation came as no surprise to Roland.
During his journey to Far Ocean Port, he had noticed the Church of Truth's increased activity in the Dawn Territory.
What puzzled him was this:
Though Baron Gavin was merely a baron, in the Golden Valley Kingdom—a nation that prized bloodline above all else—his status was already beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Moreover, judging by the old gentleman's demeanor, he seemed neither ambitious nor capable of grand schemes, given his frail, aging body.
Why would he conspire with the Church of Truth?
With this question lingering in his mind, Roland followed the two men into a magnificent hall.
King Monen sat regally on his high throne, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a stern, focused expression.
His brow furrowed slightly, and his sharp gaze swept across the hall like a hawk's.
Nobles stood in solemn silence on either side of the hall, arranged in neat rows.
At the center of the hall, the white-haired Baron Gavin knelt on the floor, his head bowed, yet his expression remained remarkably calm.
Even with his conspiracy with the Church of Truth exposed, Gavin's face showed no trace of panic.
"Gavin."
Monen stared at Gavin's wrinkled face, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.
His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, the crisp sound echoing through the hall.
"I recall you once led my horse?" the Old King's voice was deep and slow.
"Your Majesty's memory serves you well." Gavin slowly raised his head, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Those were events from over thirty years ago."
"Then..." Monen suddenly stopped tapping, his towering frame leaning forward like a lion poised to strike. "Why did you betray me? Have I mistreated you?"
"Of course you mistreated me." Gavin's calm reply startled Monen.
Before the King could respond, Gavin slowly rose to his feet.
His trembling fingers unbuttoned his ceremonial robe, revealing a horrifying network of scars under the glaring light.
"I followed you into battle for decades. What did I receive in the end? A barren piece of land?"
Gavin's hoarse voice carried the weight of years of suppressed resentment.
He scanned the room, his gaze sweeping across the assembled nobles one by one.
"You, you, and all of you!" he rasped.
"Your fathers and grandfathers shed blood and sweat for the Kingdom. What did they gain?"
"Expansion? Ha!"
Gavin suddenly let out a piercing, cold laugh.
"What a grand and hollow excuse!"
His voice echoed through the hall, each word like a dagger stabbing into the hearts of everyone present.
The hall fell into a deathly silence. The nobles' eyes darted around, meeting each other's gazes before quickly averting them. But their flickering eyes betrayed the turmoil within.
"Of course," Gavin said, re-fastening his ceremonial robe, his voice regaining its composure.
"I understand that you made this decision to balance the interests of the old and new nobility. But why..."
He suddenly tilted his head back, his bloodshot eyes locking onto the towering figure seated at the head of the hall.
"Why did you have my wife killed after the Blood Moon Rebellion?"
His voice rose sharply.
"What crime did she commit? Just because she had a distant, barely traceable kinship with a commoner knight, you executed her without a shred of evidence!"
Gavin trembled violently, each word dripping with anguish.
"Tyrant! Despot!"
Monen lowered his gaze, offering only silence in response.
This wordless reply gradually extinguished the fire in Gavin's eyes, replaced by profound disappointment.
As if suddenly drained of all strength, he waved his hand weakly.
"Your Majesty, now I have only my son left. Mason..."
Gavin's lips trembled, but he couldn't speak, his words dissolving into a long, heavy sigh.
"The Church of Truth promised to cure my son's illness."
The old man slowly retreated two steps and knelt again.
"This is why I betrayed you. Now..."
He straightened his hunched back.
"Let Your Majesty pass judgment. I willingly accept my punishment."
The air in the great hall seemed to freeze, all holding their breath as they awaited the King's verdict.
"Take him away," Monen's voice rasped like sandpaper.
He waved his hand wearily.
"Arrange for guards to escort him back to the capital. Let the Tribunal determine his punishment."
"As you command."
Gondar, who had been standing silently, stepped forward, bowed to receive the order, and immediately directed the guards into action.
After Gavin was led away from the hall, an oppressive silence descended upon the chamber.
The nobles cautiously stole glances at the Monarch seated at the head of the table, none daring to break the silence first.
After a long moment, Monen slowly raised his head, his weary gaze sweeping across the assembled nobles.
"So..."
His voice was heavy with unprecedented exhaustion.
"You all harbor the same resentment toward me as Gavin does?"
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. Finally, an elderly noble stepped forward, his voice trembling.
"Your Majesty, we have never—"
But before he could finish, Monen waved his hand weakly.
"Enough. You must all be tired. Let's conclude for today. Return to your quarters and rest."
The nobles, relieved beyond measure, bowed deeply and withdrew.
Seeing this, Roland gently tugged at Darco's sleeve in the corner, whispering, "Darco, we should leave too."
"Oh, right," Darco replied, as if waking from a dream.
After a brief farewell to Colin, the two men left the hall.
As soon as they stepped out of the oppressive space, Roland felt his breathing ease.
He turned to look at his friend, who was still staring at the ground.
"Darco, I remember you mentioning Mason before. He was..."
"He's Baron Gavin's youngest son. And he was... my best friend." Darco's gaze drifted into the distance, lost in memories.
"Mason was an exceptionally kind person. He wouldn't even step on ants in the garden, and on rainy days, he'd always carry lost baby birds back to their nests."
A wistful, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Unfortunately, he was frail and sickly from childhood. As he grew older, his health only deteriorated further."
"But Mason possessed an extraordinary stubbornness. He insisted on exercising, hoping to improve his constitution."
Darco paused, his voice faltering.
"Sadly, all his efforts ultimately changed nothing."
"Later, Baron Gavin, concerned about his health, forbade him from going out. Our contact gradually dwindled."
"We could only catch fleeting glimpses of each other when I accompanied my father to Baron Gavin's banquets."
His brow furrowed suddenly, his Adam's apple bobbing several times. Finally, he shook his head heavily, turning his unspoken words into a sigh.
Seeing the sorrow etched on Darco's face, Roland gently patted his shoulder, maintaining a tactful silence.
Only after they had left the Sea Pearl Pavilion and were walking through the hazy night did Roland ask softly, "Have you spoken to His Majesty Monen about your father?"
"Yes," Darco replied with a slight nod.
"His Majesty Monen specifically instructed Mr. Colin to bring the most renowned physician from Far Ocean Port to diagnose the cause of my father's coma. Perhaps..." He paused, forcing a faint smile. "By the time we return to Blackwater Territory, Father will have already awakened."
"Then... we can prepare for our return journey now?"
"Of course," Darco agreed. "I've already requested permission from His Majesty Monen. We can depart early tomorrow morning."
"Good. I'll go pack my luggage now. See you tomorrow morning."
"No problem!"
As Roland watched Darco's retreating figure, he unconsciously frowned.
The conversation between Gavin and Monen earlier echoed in his mind, plunging him into deep thought.
It seems the situation in the Golden Valley Kingdom is even more complex than I anticipated. Choosing to travel to the River Domain Nations was indeed a wise decision.
While he was pondering, he heard steady footsteps approaching from behind.
Turning around, he saw Colin striding purposefully toward him, a friendly smile on his face.
"Excellent, Mr. Roland! I'm glad you haven't left yet. There are some matters I'd like to discuss with you."
(End of the Chapter)